January 1567

A.D. 1567. Jan. 1.

879. E. Moorcroft to Cecil.

Draws a comparison between the people and countries of
Italy and Germany, very much in favour of the latter.
"Every country has its fashion of vice: As the Frenchmen
in pride, if we will yield into them, our country folks in new
fangledness; the Flemings in drunkenness; the Germans in
excessive drinking; the Sicilians and Irishmen in thieving;
the Spaniards and Italians in whoring, that I say no worse
of them, every which vice with every of these are counted
small or no offences, because they are after the fashion (as
great hose be with us) and according to the custom of the
country." There is sufficiency of universities in Italy, "but
the diversity is great betwixt their students and others elsewhere, the most part of them being men and also gentlemen,
and therefore studying of pleasure, where in Germany and
France (as in England) the most are youths and children,
and the most of them mean men's children also, and therefore
studying for need and dread." Their readers ride gentlemanlike to the schools, as they are better waged than elsewhere.
No country is comparable to Germany "quoad triviales
scholas;" howbeit for provision of scholars set France, Italy,
and Germany together, they are all far inferior to the English
universities. Touching the study of divinity, where in
Germany it is most haunted as preaching, in Italy it is little
used but in Lent, and the preachers and readers being only
religious men read the schoolmen rather than the scriptures.
"Concerning other faculties where the readers oftentimes
have some private displeasures, the students taking parts
and studying to disgrace the adverse party by beating and
bouncing on the boards will not suffer him to read but drive
him out of his school without any check, and this is most
used amongst the lawyers." In the seas in Italy are no fish,
tunny and sardines excepted, which is the cause why frogs and
snails are such a common service, "and yet to be preferred
before their viperous eels, and some other fish which in some
of their waters are rank poison." "Will never prefer the
painted formality of the Italians to the Germans integrity,
and tasting the cheese potage, cheese puddings, and cheese
tarts of Italy will not mislike the sup or brose of Germany."
None shall like Italy unless he be Italizate, and the proverb
says, Anglus Italizatus demon incarnatus, and so say the
French and Germans of their countrymen. Translates one
of their own sayings to the effect that the hills are woodless,
the sea fishless, the women shameless, and the men graceless.
Gives other sayings against the Italians.—Paris, 1 January.
Signed: E. Moorcroft, clerk.Add. Endd. Pp. 8¼.

Jan. 3.

880. Mary Queen of Scots to the Queen.

Trusts that she has answered the Earl of Bedford to his
satisfaction. Thanks her more especially for the examining
of the will supposed to be made by the King her father,
which some would lay as a bar in her way, whereof Robert
Melville has made report that he would proceed therein before
her nobility. Will send some of her people authorised to
treat with her and her Council in all things.—Stirling,
3 January, Anno Regni 25. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 1½.

Jan. 4.

881. Sir Francis Peyto to Throckmorton.

Answered all the letters which he has received from him
this good while on the 12th Dec. Gathers that against
the poor "pasts" (Papists) (to use a Protestant term) there
is some matter a brewing in the English Parliament.
Touching the world here the more he behold it the more that
way (he means Catholic) if God had not already settled him
would he fully bend himself. Howsoever these new broached
brethren make the matter sweet and sugared in words,
having nothing in their lips but service and prayer for the
Prince, their whole fruits be mischiefs and rebellions. Divers
ways to wise men did it so from the beginning appear, but
never to the common sort whose eye pierces no further than
the bark of things. All own that now they of Valenciennes
have unmasked themselves, to whose help those of West
Flanders assembled themselves. Their first exploit was in
spoiling of abbeys and monasteries, which to the number of
nine they set on fire, and in them murdered, burnt, and
hanged divers of the religious, namely, in one of women,
fifteen poor nuns. Three hundred of them were met within one
mile of Valenciennes, and slain every mother's son of them.
On the Sunday following eleven ensigns more of the same lewd
litter fell into the laps of Mm. De Reux, Terlong, and
Barlaimont, who being accompanied with 800 horse gave
them such a salutation as 1,200 and odd were laid on flat
ground; the rest that fled to the woods were pursued and
slain, and 160 who made themselves strong in a house were
soon unnested and sent after their fellows. So as at least
there is dead 2,300, and some set them above 3,000. Other
morsels be a making which he fears will be of far harder
digestion. Some consider of these matters much after the
rate of France, yet all points are not sembable, which makes
him remember a tale which Sir Thomas Wyat that suffered
once told him of a cook of his who in a skirmish by Boulogne
finding his chance so good as his purse with ten groats
hanging about his neck defended him (for upon the money
the pellet lighted) against harquebus shot, took suddenly such
courage as leaving spits and broaches would needs become
Mars his man, but in that calling ere the year went about
as clothed in steel armour was shot clean through the body.
Desires him to further Sir Francis Englefield's suit.—Mechlin,
4 Jan. 1567. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 3.

Jan. 4.

882. John Fitzwilliam to Cecil.

Certain Protestants coming towards Valenciennes were set
upon by the garrison of Lille, and some of those who lay
about Valenciennes. It is said that between both parties
there remained between 150 and 200 persons. There is order
taken for all the power the Regent can make to go towards
Valenciennes. Count Egmont is at Brussels and Count Horn
at Niort. The estates of Brabant will not consent to proceed
in anything touching the reformation of religion till the
Estates of the whole four countries be gathered together.
Three nights ago twenty-five or twenty-six houses were burnt
in Brussels. This town remains indifferent quiet. The
number of Protestants is very great and increases daily.—
Antwerp, 4 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 2.

Jan. 4.

883. Lord Scrope to Cecil.

Has levied and put in readiness 50 light horsemen for the
Queen's service in Ireland, who, however, are not able to
abide the charge without the Queen's entertainment. The
Master of Maxwell has offered to be godfather to his child,
but he has not granted it until he has Cecil's advice.—
Carlisle, 4 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.

Jan. 5.

884. The Earl of Murray to Cecil.

Thanks him for his letter to Sir Henry Percy in favour of
Lord Keith his brother-in-law. Bears to him all goodwill as
appertains to a trusty and faithful friend to bear, and heartily
desires him never to doubt him to be such a changeling as
his heart abhors. Complains of the unreasonable and hard
dealing of Sir Henry.—Edinburgh, 5 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 2.

Jan. 9.

885. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.

Has been well entertained in Fife by divers there. The
Queen of Scots will send some express messenger. The
agreement between the Queen and her husband is nothing
amended. The King is now at Glasgow with his father and
there lies full of the small pox, to whom the Queen has sent
her physician. At the suit of the Earl of Murray the Queen
has revoked her authority given to the Bishop of St. Andrews
to have a certain jurisdiction in divers cases according to the
canon law. The Queen has given him a very proper chain
set with pearls and some diamonds and rubies, and used him
with all honour and courtesy. The Earl of Bothwell like a
very friend joined with Murray to obtain redress for the
Earl of Morton.—Berwick, 9 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 2¼.

Jan. 10.

886. Mr. Hugh Fitzwilliam's Charges.

Asks for 74l. 3s. 4d. on account of expenses incurred for
postage, &c. in France from the 13th July 1566 till the 10th
January 1567.Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 10.

887. The Earl of Morton to Cecil.

Gives him hearty thanks for his friendship, and prays him
to employ him in anything wherein he can do him pleasure.—
Berwick, 10 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. ¾.

[Jan.]

888. Remembrances for the Earl of Bedford.

A note of certain things given by the Queen of Scots to
be remembered by Bedford, the examining the will of
Henry VIII.; Dalton to be punished for words spoken in
the parliament house; her consent to the Queen's marriage;
and certain private suits to be furthered.Endd. P. ½.

Jan. 11.

889. John Fitzwilliam to Cecil.

The Regent's men have entered into Dortrecht, and the
townsmen have delivered their armour to the governor. The
Count Egmont goes to Arras with 200 horse. The Regent
will not consent to have the Estates of the whole land to meet.
This town is indifferent quiet, and there is indifferent good
trafficing. The nearer the summer comes the more will the
merchants withdraw themselves doubting of a trouble. King
Philip makes great preparation of men, as do the Germans.—
Antwerp, 11 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. Mutilated. Pp. 1½.

Jan. 12.

890. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil.

Arrived here this day, and means to make as convenient
speed to Paris as he may.—Boulogne, 12 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. ½.

Jan. 13.

891. Ordonnance of Charles IX.

Concerning the charges of the treasurers, and the manner
of payment of the repairs, fortifying, and munitions for the
towns and castles on the frontiers.—Paris, 13 Jan. 1567.Printed. Imperfect. Pp. 5½.

Jan. 15.

892. Sir John Forster to Cecil.

Having sundry suits in the Courts at Westminster desires
license to come up this term.—At my house in Alnwick,
15 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 15.

893. The Privy Council to Lord Scrope.

Neither their meaning nor their writing was that the light
horsemen should enter into charge until he had further
answer to his first letter, and therefore they pray him to have
consideration how the charges might be moderated.Draft. Endd.: 15 Jan. 1566. Pp. 2.

Jan. 16.

894. The Examination of William Rogers.

Being examined how Lord Darnley came by the platform
of Scilly, said that one Martin Dale, who had the charge
thereof, sent it to him. Also that Lord Darnley intended, in
case of any mutiny or dissension in England, to seize Scarborough Castle. He also told how letters were conveyed
from Lady Lennox by an ancient gentlewoman who had
access to her.Endd. Pp. 2½.

Jan. 17.

895. The Queen of Scots to [the Earl of Bedford].

Her servant, an Italian named Joseph Lutyni, having
departed forth of her realm and fraudulently taken with him
the goods and money of divers his friends, she desires that
he may be apprehended and put in sure custody.—Edinburgh,
6 Jan. 1567. Signed. Countersigned: Riccio.Copy of a passport for the said Lutyni in the same page in
French. 17th Jan. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 18.

896. John Fitzwilliam to Cecil.

Since the Regent has got Dortrecht into her government
the poor Protestants have had small courage, and the less
seeing that none of the nobles take their part, neither is it
now thought that any will. They of Valenciennes hold out
still. The Lord of Brederode has fortified himself very
strongly. The Duke of Cleves has abolished the Mass, and
caused the images in the churches to be taken down. Certain
of the substantial and richest men have required the Regent
to come hither for the preservation of the old Catholic faith
and maintenance of the prosperous state of the town. This
has brought them into such hatred that they are driven to
deny their doings to the common people. The Calvinists
preach against the Martinists in their sermons.—Antwerp,
18 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1½.

Jan. 19.

897. Valentine Brown to Cecil.

Desires him to move Sir Robert Tirrwhite of Huntingdon
to accept his clerk as his deputy in the office of Chamberlain
of Berwick.—Berwick, 19 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. ½.

[Jan. 19.]

898. Joseph Rizzio to Joseph Lutyni.

Has told the Queen of Scots and Timothy that Lutyni has
carried off with him his money. Did so when others accused
him in order to avoid suspicion. The Queen has asked him
where her bracelets were, and he answered in Lutyni's purse
along with his money. The Queen has ordered Lethington
to write to have him arrested on the road. M. De Morette
came in and declared that Lutyni had told him that the
writer was the cause of his journey. If Lutyni speaks otherwise he will be the cause of his ruin. Beseeches him most
earnestly to adhere to this story, unless he wishes to be the
cause of his death. Desires him to burn this letter.—Edinburgh, Sunday. Signed.Ital. Pp. 3.

Jan. 20.

899. Complaint of Piracy.

Copy of a process verbal made at Honfleur 1567, 20 Jan.,
by a French merchant, complaining of a piracy committed on
his ship by Englishmen off Cape Finisterre.Endd. Fr. Pp. 1¾.

Jan. 21.

900. Lord Scrope to Cecil.

The state of these frontiers stands in as good quiet as ever
it did. Desires the Queen's license to repair thither about
certain his urgent business. Is sorry to hear of his sickness.
Desires to know the Council's pleasure touching the setting
forward the light horsemen for Ireland.—Carlisle, 21 Jan.
1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 22.

901. Dr. Man to Cecil.

Delivered a letter from the Earl of Arundel being at Milan
to the King, who answered that his suspicion that young
Dormer, who was taken from him in Italy, was conveyed
into Spain is not true. The Count De Feria storms exceedingly against the Earl. The Turk fits forth 200 galleys.
There is granted to the King a subsidy of 600,000 ducats, to
be paid in three years. The King has already paid for the
Bishop of Aquila's debts 10,000 ducats more than has been
due to him, and therefore thinks it not meet that he should
be further charged. The Count De Feria desired him to
write to the Earl of Arundel that if he procured or spake
anything to the hurt of William Burlace for that he has done
at his commandment, he will seek him in the furthest part of
England to break his head. To Man he said that if the Earl
attempted anything further for the punishment of Burlace he
would have him cut in pieces as he should pass out of Italy.
Englefield bears a great countenance here.—Madrid, 22 Jan.
1566. Signed.Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1½.

Jan. 22.

902. Captain Cockburn to Cecil.

Sent one of late to him, who seeing Florence, M. De Foix's
secretary, daily coming to Cecil believed him to be one of his
secretaries, showed him how he was coming with letters from
Cockburn. Where Cecil writes that he sometimes writes
evil, he writes even as he does to his Sovereign the Queen of
Scotland. Hopes to cause many great persons of the religion
to favour the English Ambassador. There was more preparation made for his receipt than for any ambassador who has
come to France these twenty-one years. Sends letters and
desires a passport for horses, also any news from Scotland.—
Paris, 22 Jan.Add. Endd. Nearly illegible. Pp. 2½.

Jan. 23.

903. Captain Cockburn to Cecil.

Sends a letter to the Queen of Scotland, which he desires
him to close and forward.—Paris, 23 Jan. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 23.

904. Lord Scrope to Cecil.

Understands that the Lords of the Privy Council have
judged upon his letters that upon the levying of the light
horsemen he had put them in charge and so continued them
in entertainment ever since; this was not his meaning. Where
he doubts of his servant's charge in leading the company, if he
be stayed he fears the band will shrink from that service.—
Carlisle, 23 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 1½.

Jan. 23.

905. Sir John Forster to the Earl of Bedford.

Certain of the Reedsdale men being bound to answer such
bills as were filed against them, being entered into Harbottle
Castle, upon the sudden made an assault upon his servants,
and sore wounded some of them, but in the end had the overthrow and were made safe. Minds to try them at Morpeth
on the 27th instant. Encloses a list of their names.—Alnwick,
23 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 3.

Jan. 23.

906. Sir William Drury to Cecil.

Found here one Joseph, an Italian, who had served the
Queen of Scots, and dispatched with her good favour, who,
through weak constitution of health made his stay here for
his better recovery. Received a request from the Queen of
Scots to apprehend him, for that he had against the laws
taken goods and money from some of his fellows. It appears
to be upon some odd reckoning between him and the Queen's
tailor, and therefore he thinks it is not it that the Queen
seeks so much as to recover his person, as he had credit there,
and she mistrusts lest he should offer his service in England,
and thereby might utter something either prejudicial to her
or that she would be loath should be disclosed. Desires the
Queen's pleasure herein. The Lord Morton lies at the Laird
of Whittingham's, where the Lord Bothwell and Lethington
came of late. Here they look for Lethington or Melville very
shortly to repair (wherefore I refer it to your honour's conjecture) [cancelled].—Berwick, 23 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 2.

Jan. 26.

907. Sir Henry Norris to the Queen.

Arrived at Paris on the 20th. The King sent him a fair
present and also bade him welcome. Had audience the next
day, and declared to the King and Queen Mother such things
as were according to his instructions, and did her commendations to the King's brethren and others. The Queen of
Navarre, the Prince of Conde, and the Admiral are departed
to their houses. The Queen of Navarre is in some sort discontented, that having a preacher in her house at Paris the
King had commanded the Provost Marshal to hang him on
her gates; but the preacher being conveyed away she thereupon took her leave. On the 25th he made request for goods
withholden from her subjects and had good answers. Collinbrok, a pensioner of the French King, having conspired the
death of the Elector of Saxony, is beseiged with the Duke in
Gotha.

2. On the 23rd was invited by the King to a solemn
triumph and challenge at the barriers. The defendants were
the King and his brethren, the Prince of Navarre, and others.
—Paris, 26 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 2.

Jan. 26.

908. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil.

Has advertised the Queen of the honourable entertainment
he received since his coming into France. On the 25th he
had audience and made request to the King touching the
withholding of certain goods from the Queen's subjects,
traffic, suppression of piracy, the delivery of the prisoners at
Marseilles, and other matters.—Paris, 26 January. Signed.Add. Endd. Pp. 1½.

Jan. 26.

909. — to Sir Henry Norris.

Beg his help for their deliverance, being twenty Englishmen in the galley of Captain D'Albisse, in the port of
Marseilles.—26 Jan. 1567. Signed: God save the Queen.Add. P. ½.

Jan. 26.

910. English Prisoners in France.

Names of twenty-two Englishmen kept in the galleys in
France.Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 26.

911. Henry Champernowne to Cecil.

On New Year's Eve the Duke of Cleves's fool came into his
chapel with others and brake down the images there. The
Duke has ordered all masses to be banished, and will suffer no
soldiers taken up for King Philip to pass through his country.
They of Valenciennes have banished all Papists, and are within
the walls 10,000 good soldiers. The magistrates of Antwerp
this day called all the Gospellers before them, willing them
to leave their preaching or else depart the city, who answered
they would not depart, and yet would they preach as before.
—Antwerp, Jan. 26. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 26.

912. Sir William Drury to Cecil.

Mons. Le Croc departs this day towards the Court. Lethington is to be looked for here within four or five days,
from whence he will with speed to the Court. The Liddlesdale men are "leapen out" and run upon the Crosiers and
Carrs.—Berwick, 26 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 26.

913. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.

Means to set forward within two or three days. His stay
is upon a cold, which is no feigned matter. Hears that
Lethington should shortly be sent to the Queen. Forwards
two letters.—Garendon, 26 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 27.

914. Sir William Drury to Cecil.

Writes in behalf of the bearer, Mr. Nicholas Harrington,
placed by the Queen's bill in the office of clerk controller of
the ordnance in the north parts. Mr. Bennet will in no wise
give place to any such office, but stands to his letters patent
as thereby "liberated" to enjoy his office without any associate,
whereby he has been for fifteen months out of the Queen's
pay.—Berwick, 27 Jan. 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 27.

915. The Princess Cecilia of Sweden to the Queen.

Desires her favour for Martin Hockstein, who is her agent
in England for purchasing and sending over such things as
she wants.—[Rodemack] 27 January 1567. Signed.Add. Endd. Lat. Pp. 2.

Jan. 27.

916. Christopher Marquis of Baden to the Queen.

Thanks her for her goodness towards him, and begs that he
may be compensated for the expenses incurred in his journey
and otherwise.—Rodomack, 27 Jan. 1567. Signed.Add. Endd. Lat. P. 1½.

Jan. 28.

917. Sir John Forster to Cecil.

On the 27th proceeded in his warden court against the
offenders of Redesdale, whose names he sends in a schedule
enclosed, and this day caused execution to be done on certain
of them.—Morpeth, 28 January 1566. Encloses a list of the
names of thirteen persons tried for divers offences, whereof six
were beheaded.Add. Endd. Pp. 1½.

Jan. 28.

918. Lord Scrope to Cecil.

Yesterday the Earl of Bothwell with eighty men on a
sudden made a journey from Jedworth into Liddlesdale and
apprehended a dozen persons, or thereabouts, among the
which was one of the Elliotts of the best sort. Martin Elliott
with a great company followed the Earl and slew one of the
brethren of the Laird of Ormiston, and took some prisoners,
and if good hap had not chanced himself had been in great
peril. There are some variances among the Greames, whereby
they are like to fall to some perilous disorder amongst themselves.—Carlisle, 28 January 1566. Signed.Add. Endd. P. 1.

Jan. 31.

919. John Bennett to Cecil.

Desires him to stand his good master that Nicholas Harrington may not have 2s. per diem out of his poor living.—
Berwick, last of January 1566. Signed.Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.

Jan. 31.

920. The Deputies of the Reformed Church at Antwerp
to Cecil.

Send him a book explaining their unhappy position; and
desire his counsel and help, and also the Queen's intercession
with their Sovereign on their behalf.—Antwerp, 31 Jan. 1567.Add. Endd., with seal. Lat. Pp. 2.

Jan.

921. Guillaume Acquenan to Cecil.

Forwards a packet and offers his services. All the Reformed
Churches throughout France are grieved to hear that the
English have given up the true religion, in order to return to
the idolatry and service of Antichrist.Add. Endd. Fr. P. ½.